Over time, many programming languages have emerged and fallen in popularity.
However, the most common website programming language may not retain the same level of prominence today.
As per Statista, JavaScript was recognized as the most widely used web development language in 2023. However, Python could be more popular due to the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Let’s have a quick overview of a programming language before discussing the best web development languages.
A programming language is a specialized computer language for communicating with computers.
It consists of a set of instructions, or code, created to execute specific actions.
Developers use programming languages to convey instructions to computers in a way machines can understand.
Each programming language has its own syntax, structure, and rules, all of which must be adhered to for error-free code execution.
Best Web Development Languages
The 7 most popular languages for web development are:
- HTML/CSS:
HTML and CSS form a powerful foundation. Nonetheless, creating the dynamic and captivating websites we encounter frequently requires the complementary use of other programming languages.
These two markup languages, HTML and CSS are quite different and are the fundamental building blocks for websites. Regardless of the complexity of a site, a glimpse at the page source will invariably show HTML and CSS tags in the code.
Pros:
- Easy to use and learn
- Have a large and active community
- Easily integrated with other web technologies, such as PHP
Cons:
- Limited interactivity
- Limited functionalities
- Challenges in updating and maintaining websites
- PHP:
PHP, Hypertext Preprocessor, an open-source and free, server-side scripting language for creating simple yet dynamic websites and web applications. It serves as the backbone for numerous prominent website frameworks, including Wikipedia, Etsy, Pfizer, Drupal, WordPress, and Facebook.
PHP is the best language for custom web development. It is supported by large third-party extensions, such as .NET, Apache, and MySQL.
Pros:
- Easy to learn and use
- Can easily integrate with HTML
- Secure and Fast
Cons:
- Performance limitations
- Error handling features
- C+
C# (C Sharp) is an object-oriented programming language by Microsoft, primarily for the .NET framework to develop Windows applications. Its versatility extends to backend development, game development, and mobile app development, making it an ideal choice across various platforms, including Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS. As of 2024, C# is one of the top website coding languages due to its broad applicability and robust features.
Pros:
- Suitable for all web development types
- Integration with .NET library
Cons:
- Less Flexible
- Difficult to handle multi-thread applications
- Python:
Python is the one of the advanced coding languages for web development and the easiest language to master, renowned for its widespread popularity globally. Its versatility extends beyond web development, including a diverse range of software development projects. Notably, Python excels in data science and analysis, although its versatility makes it a valuable asset in numerous other projects and industries.
Pros:
- Easy to learn and use
- Large and active community support
- Highly readable
Cons:
- Less efficient
- Slower than other languages
- Performance Limitations
Django:
Django, recognized as “the web framework for perfectionists with deadlines,” is a prominent high-level Python web framework. It is free and open-source, known for its widespread popularity and its emphasis on rapid development, security, and efficiency. Continuously updated to meet evolving industry standards, Django also has exceptional scalability, making it an ideal choice for projects of all sizes.
- JavaScript:
JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages globally.
Frontend and Backend web development is the main reason behind its popularity.
Developers favor JavaScript for creating dynamic web components such as clickable buttons and animated graphics.
JavaScript also empowers your developers to build web servers, presentations, games, smartwatch applications, and even software for quadcopters.
Pros:
- Allows you to create diverse applications.
- Have a large and active community.
- Easy to integrate with other languages
Cons:
- Less secure
- Inconsistent browser support
Angular JS:
AngularJS is a widely-used JavaScript framework and toolkit that enables developers to expand the vocabulary of HTML for web application projects. With this framework, code becomes easier to test, maintain, extend, and reuse. Additionally, AngularJS allows you to create unique code for your projects.
TypeScript:
TypeScript is a free and open-source programming language for web development that supports both front-end and back-end development. With TypeScript, developers can build large-scale JavaScript applications.
- Ruby
Ruby is one of the ideal programming languages for web development, particularly with its renowned framework, Ruby on Rails. However, Ruby itself holds its own merits beyond Rails. This scripting language is used in both front-end and back-end web development.
Pros:
- Easy to learn and use
- User-friendly
- Versatile and intuitive
- Best for rapid development
Cons:
- Slow performance as compared to other languages like C++ and Go.
- Inconsistent Erro handling
- Less Secure
Ruby on Rails:
Ruby on Rails, also referred to as RoR or Rails, is one of the most popular web development frameworks globally. This framework has an extensive collection of libraries and functionalities, including pre-built conventions and code generators that streamline application development processes.
- Java
Java is not only the most commonly used web programming language for Android development, but also due to the abundance of well-supported libraries, frameworks, APIs, and IDEs accessible to it.
Java is regarded as one of the most secure web programming languages for web-centric applications. It has numerous advanced features such as authentication, cryptography, secure login methods, digital signatures, ciphers, security policies, and access controls, making it a top choice for developing secure, platform-independent web applications.
Pros:
- Easy deployment on multiple operating systems.
- Strong security features
- Versatile
Cons:
- Less flexible
- Steep learning curve
- Slow performance
Conclusion:
Web development is an ever-evolving field, with programming languages continuously evolving alongside it. What is popular today may see a shift in the coming years, while less common languages could emerge as dominant players in the future.
For web developers who want to excel in their field, it is important to remain updated on industry trends, regarding popular programming languages. This not only fosters professional growth but also ensures the creation of high-quality websites and web products.
